DETERMINATION OF MERCURY AND METHYLMERCURY IN HAIR SAMPLES BY NEUTRON-ACTIVATION

Mercury and methylmercury in hair samples were determined by neutron a ctivation analysis. Samples were digested in 10M NaOH, and methylmercu ry was then isolated by solvent extraction with toluene. ?he isolated methylmercury was then absorbed onto cysteine paper. The dried cystein e paper was activated for six hours in a TRIGA reactor and methylmercu ry was analysed via 279.2 keV of Hg-203. Methylmercury and total mercu ry in some standard reference materials were also analysed, and the re sults were in good agreement with those reported in the literature. Re sults for hair samples showed that the methylmercury concentration ran ged 14-40% of the total mercury. Gas chromatogram showed that methylme rcury was only present in the samples analysed. In samples where methy lmercury and other organic mercury are present, the NAA method is good for the determination of the total organic mercury only.